Running  

Nguyễn Trung Cường (centre) wins the 49th Hànộimới Newspaper -- Run for Peace 2024 on September 29 in the capital city. Photos of organisers

HÀ NỘI — Nguyễn Trung Cường and Bùi Thị Thu Hà won the top places at the 49th Hànộimới Newspaper Run for Peace on September 29 in the capital city.

Hà Tĩnh Province-born Cường, the SEA Games' 3,000m steeplechase champion, had no challenge leaving all runners behind to win the men's elite race of 8,750m, or five laps around Hoàn Kiếm Lake, for the first time.

He was followed by Dương Minh Hùng of the Military team and Lê Văn Thao of Thanh Hóa.

Meanwhile, Hà from Thanh Hóa triumphed in the women's class of 5,250m, or three laps around the lake, some minutes later.

Hoàng Thị Ngọc Anh from Hải Dương and Ly Ngọc Hà from the Military Team finished second and third, respectively.

More than a thousand athletes participated in the race, along with 2,500 other runners who took part to support the event. 

In addition to the elite categories, organisers also presented awards to winners of the amateur classes including students, workers, soldiers and foreigners, with prizes totalling VNĐ70 million (US$2,900). 

Speaking at the opening of the race, Vice Chairwoman of Hà Nội People's Committee Vũ Thu Hà said that, after 48 years, the run has become a long-running tradition in Việt Nam, attracting larger numbers of participants and improving in quality every year.

Many talented runners have emerged from this grassroots-level event and gone on to become national names.

The tournament has become a favourite event not only for runners in Hà Nội but also for participants from other cities and provinces every year. VNS